Collision repair rack

ABSTRACT

A collision repair rack is provided. The rack includes a platform and a plurality of pivotally mounted arms which arms and associated pulling towers can be moved to positions on either side of the rack in addition to being positionable at an end of the rack. The arms are mounted in a manner to allow the arms to remain generally in the same plane while providing a high degree of freedom of movement of the arms.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority on previously filed and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application filed Sep. 10, 2002, and having App. No. 60/409,465.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Collision repair racks, also known as straightening benches, are widely used in the vehicle repair industry. Such racks are used to straighten vehicle (car, truck, etc.) bodies and frames that are damaged by a collision or the like. Such racks include a platform having a deck for supporting a vehicle such as a car or a truck, one or more jack devices operable to selectively elevate and lower the platform and one or more pulling towers to apply straightening force to the vehicle chassis or body. A pulling tower is a device mounted to the platform that is operable to apply a pulling force to a portion of the vehicle to which a pulling member is attached, to pull the body and/or chassis back more to its original position and/or shape. Generally, such a tower comprises a mounting arm, a tower and a power operated pulling device. The pulling tower device is typically moveable relative to the platform to more accurately align the position and direction of pull applied to the vehicle. By being moveable, more precise and efficient straightening of the vehicle can be achieved. Several modes of moving a pulling tower device to a position and fixing it in a desired position are known in the industry.

[0003] One form of pulling tower device is moveable on a track from one position to another position. A second type of device has a pulling tower mounted on an arm that is pivotally mounted to the platform. The pulling tower is moved to its desired position and the arm is then fixed in the desired position with a lock device. While currently available racks are effective in use, the movement of a pulling tower device has been limited due to the use and position of additional pulling tower devices mounted to the platform and their interference with one another or the manner of pivotally mounting the pulling tower device to the platform. Two types of pivoting mounts are known in the art. One is where the arm of each pulling tower device has its own separate pivot. The use of a separate pivot for each arm limits the ability of the arms of each pulling tower device to be moved relative to one another without interference. Another type of rack uses a plurality of pulling tower devices each mounted to a common pivot with the arms being superposed. The problem with the latter approach is the height required to accommodate the arms. It is desired, in many situations, to have a rack with a low profile to facilitate moving the vehicle to a low work height which height is limited by the superposed relationship of the arms of the pulling tower devices.

[0004] There is thus a need for an improved rack providing for the use of a plurality of pulling tower devices which have greater freedom of movement relative to the rack and one another. To facilitate operation of the rack and hence its efficiency in use.

[0005] The present invention provides a rack that provides improved movement of pulling tower devices while providing a low profile.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The invention involves the provision of a vehicle repair rack. The rack includes a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle thereon for repair. The platform has an outer periphery formed by front, rear and side portions. The platform includes an upper deck adapted to receive and support a vehicle. A plurality of pulling tower devices are provided and are mounted to the platform in a pivotal manner. A pulling tower device includes a pulling tower and an arm. The arm is pivotally mounted to allow movement of the pulling tower to desired locations. A lock mechanism is provided to secure the pulling tower in its selected position. The pivotal mounting of the arms is such as to provide a low profile and the ability to pivotally move at least about 180° without interference between the arms. In one embodiment the pivoting can be achieved by mounting the arms in a pivotal manner on a turntable which in turn is rotatably mounted to the platform. In another embodiment, the arms lie generally in a single plane and are positioned side by side and the arms can be pivotally mounted to another arm providing at least one arm with the ability to pivot about two pivots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a collision repair rack.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the rack as seen in FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 is an end elevation view as seen from the front end, of the rack of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation of the rack showing major components thereof.

[0011]FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a turn table with portions of pulling tower devices attached thereto.

[0012]FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the turn table of FIG. 5.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the rack showing the arrows in various alternate positions with some of the positions being shown in phantom.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the arms and their pivots of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a wheel support track portion of the rack showing a support panel in an up position and a down position with the down position being shown in phantom.

[0017] Like numbers throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The reference numeral 1 designates generally a collision repair rack (or sometimes referred to as a straightening bench). The rack 1 generally includes a platform 3 with an upper deck 5 which will have a vehicle such as a car or truck positioned thereon. The deck 5 has a pair of track members or side supports 7 extending between the front 9 and rear 10 with the tracks 7 having outer edges forming side edges 11, 12. The platform 3 is preferably mounted on one or more jack mechanisms 14, with two being shown, for selectively moving the platform 3 between an elevated position and a lowered position with the jack mechanisms 14 being preferably adapted for securing the platform in one of various positions at or between the fully elevated and lowered positions. The rack 1 also includes a plurality of pulling tower devices designated generally 16. The tower devices 16 each include a pulling tower designated generally 18 each connected to a respective arm 19. The tower devices 16 are pivotally mounted to the platform 3 for movement between and fixing at various positions around a portion of the platform 3. Locking apparatus designated generally 21 is provided to selectively secure or fix a respective pulling tower device 16 in a selected position.

[0019] In the illustrated structure, the jacks 14 include front and rear jacks designated 14F and 14R respectively which are similar in construction. The jacks 14 are each shown as including a scissor-jack type mechanism 23 comprised of a pair of spaced apart scissor-jack mechanisms connected together by cross member 22. The jack mechanisms 23 includes a plurality of bars 24 forming a double X pattern with the bars forming an upwardly opening V and downwardly opening V connected together at center points 25. The bars 24 are also connected together at the apex 26 of each V forming the double X configuration. The free ends 28 may be provided with rollers 31 for friction reduction. The rollers 31 are engaged in support guides 30 which can be in the form of structural channels with the lower guide 30 opening upwardly and the upper guide 30 opening downwardly for receipt therein of the rollers 31. Movement of the center points 25 toward one another will extend the jack mechanisms 23 and thereby elevate the platform 3. Movement of the center points 25 away from one another will retract the jack mechanisms 23 and lower the platform 3. A power operated drive such as a linear motion drive motor, for example, a hydraulic cylinder 33 can be connected to each of the jacks 14 to effect the extension and retraction thereof. A lock device 35 is provided to selectively secure the jack in its extended or a retracted position to provide a secure means of retaining the jacks and the platforms 3 in a selected position. The lower guides 30 may be suitably secured to an underlying floor. Preferably, the jacks 14 are positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the platform 3 however they may be positioned, if desired, longitudinally. Any suitable number of jacks 14 may be used with two being a preferred number with one jack being positioned adjacent the front 9 and one jack being positioned adjacent the rear 10.

[0020] In the illustrated structure, the rack 1 includes a rear support designated generally 37 and a front support designated generally 43. The support 37 is mounted on the rear jack 14R and is secured to the upper guide 30 and the platform 3 and is between the platform 3 and rear jack 14R. The support 37 can be suitably secured to the upper guide 30 as by welding or the like. The support 43 is positioned preferably over and is secured to the front jack 14F and is also secured to the platform 3. The support 43 spaces the platform 3 from the jack 14F. The support 43 provides a gap 48 between the jack 14F and the platform 3 for clearance for movement of the pulling tower devices 16 as described below.

[0021] As seen in FIGS. 1, 10 the platform 3 includes the tracks 7. Each of the tracks 7 has a side edge defining either the side edge 11 or the side edge 12. A portion of each of the tracks 7 forms a door or floor member 49 hingedly mounted as by hinges 50 to the remainder of a respective track 7 preferably at the bottom edge or surface of the track 7 and member 49 allowing the member 49 to be hinged downwardly to provide a notch 51 in the platform 3. The notches 51 extend inwardly and open outwardly to provide closer access to the vehicle for a worker. A lock 52, which is shown as a pin 54 fitting through a retainer 53 releasably secures the members 49 in their up position. Removal of a lock pin 54 allows a respective member 49 to be pivoted downwardly and out of the way and providing the notch 51. When a member 49 is in its up position, an arm 19 may pass or be positioned thereunder. Because the member 49 is hinged on the bottom and locked on the outer edge 11 or 12, the member 49 will help resist the bending moment when the pulling tower device 16 is applying force to a vehicle.

[0022] The deck 5, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 10 includes a plurality of through openings 57. The openings 57 are preferably elongate and can be in the form of rectangles extending lengthwise in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the platform 3. The openings 57 are useable for securing anchors 58 (FIGS. 2, 10) to the platform 3 which in turn are used to secure a vehicle (not shown) against movement while positioned on the platform. The openings 57 can also be used as a portion of a lock mechanism 21 for securing the pulling tower devices 16 in a desired position as described in detail below.

[0023] A plurality of pulling tower devices 16 are provided. At least two pulling tower devices 16 and preferably three are provided at an end of the straightening bench 1.

[0024] The pulling tower devices 16 include an arm 19 and a tower 18 secured together as by welding at 59. A reinforcing gusset 61 between a tower 18 and respective arm 19 may be provided to reinforce their securement together. Towers 18 are well known in the art and are generally upstanding and usually comprise a hydraulic cylinder inside the tower operably connected to a tension member 62 such as a chain which is attachable to the vehicle. Upon applying tension to the chain 62, a pulling force is applied to the vehicle as desired as is well known in the art. The elevation of the portion of the pulling member 62 extending to the vehicle is adjustable as with a moveable retainer 65. Such pulling towers 18 are available from Chief Automotive Systems of Grand Island, Nebr. The arms 19 each lie in a generally horizontal plane and preferably are positioned substantially in a common plane. They are positioned in the gap 48. Each of the arms 19 is pivotally mounted for movement of the respective pulling tower 18 to a position on either side of the platform 3 and an end for example the front end 9 of the platform 3. As shown, pulling tower devices 16 are shown located adjacent only the front end 9 but it is to be understood that a similar arrangement of pulling tower devices 16 may be provided at the rear end 10 of the rack 1.

[0025] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 and as better seen in FIG. 7, the arms 19 are each pivotally mounted on a separate pivot 66 which are in turn secured to a turntable or link 68. The turntable 68 is positioned between the jack mechanism 14F and the platform 3 and is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the platform 3 and deck 5. The plane of rotation is preferably generally horizontal. The turntable 68 is rotatably mounted on an axle 70 extending between and secured to an upper plate 71 and lower plate 72. Such an arrangement provides each pulling tower device 16 the ability to pivot about two separate pivots, its own pivot 66 and the axle 70. The axes of the pivots 66 and axle 70 are generally parallel and as shown are generally vertical. The pivots 66 are spaced apart in a pattern and are radially positioned outwardly of the axle 70 in a circular or curved pattern. The are two side pivots 66S and a front pivot 66F. The turntable 68 is rotatable to permit moving the pivots 66 to different angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the platform 3. The turntable 68 may be rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation to move the pivots 66 and hence the pivotally mounted arms 19. Preferably the side arms 19S and the front arm 19F can independently pivot on their respective pivot 66 and move in combination with rotation of the turntable 68 in a manner to provide at least 180° and preferably at least about 200° of movement ability for each arm about the rack 1. This permits any of the towers to be positioned along either side of the platform 3 or the front end of the platform 3.

[0026] A lock mechanism is provided for each of the arms 19 to releasably retain them in a desired position. In the illustrated structure, the lock mechanism includes a lock pin 74 (FIG. 3). A lock pin 74 can be inserted through a desired opening 57 in the platform 3 and then through one of a plurality of through holes 76 in an arm 19. By providing the plurality of through holes 76 spaced along the length of the respective arm 19 and by providing a plurality of openings 57 the arms 19 can be releasably retained in virtually any angular position desired within its limits of movements. Preferably, the pivots 66 are oriented 90° from one another about the axis of the axle 70. The turntable 68 is carried between two bearings 78, 79 that fit over bearing retainers 80 each secured to a respective plate 71, 72 (FIG. 4). The bearings 78, 79 are received in an outer bearing race 83, 84 which are each secured to a respective platform 3 or structural support 34 the outer races 83, 84 and bearings 78, 77 prevent lateral movement of the turntable 68 while reducing friction during rotation of the turntable 68. A single lock may be used for each arm since an arm 19, the upper and lower plate 71, 72 and the deck 5 form a three bar (or link) linkage in the form of triangle which is a rigid structure when secured at the intersections of each of the links.

[0027]FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the pivoting mounting of the arms 19. In this structure, upper and lower plates 87, 88 are provided. However, the center arm 19 is mounted on its pivot 66A which also acts as the axle for the turntable 90. The other pivots 66A are similar to the pivots 66. Locking of the arms 19 of the embodiment seen in FIG. 8 is similar to that of the embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-7. The second embodiment is a simplified version of the first embodiment reducing the number of parts while still providing the same degree of flexibility of movement and arm retention without interference between the arms 19 during movement. Further, the center arm 19 can be used to rotate the table 90 as can either of the side arms 19. As seen, the pivot 66A for the center or front arm 19F is positioned forwardly of the pivots 66A for the two side arms 19S. Pivoting of the center arm 19F will eventually bring it into engagement with either of the side arm pivots 66A permitting the arm 19F to rotate the table 90. The other arrow 19 may also be used to rotate the table 90. It is to be noted that the center pivot 66A may be in line between the two side pivots and still achieve functionality and the center pivot 66A may be rearwardly of the two side pivots 66A which will permit use of either the side arms to effect pivoting of the table 90. The table 90 may be constructed similar to the table 68 and utilize bearings 78, 79 and the inner and outer bearing races 80, 83. The side arms 19S each have two separate pivots, their respective pivot 66A and the pivot 66A of the center arm 19F on the bearing arrangement using the bearings 78, 79.

[0028]FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the two side arms 19 are shown pivotally mounted to the center arm 19 at separate pivots 92, 93. The pivotal connection between the side arms and the center arm 19 may also be at a common pivot between the two side arms and the center arm. The center arm 19 is pivoted to the turntable 95 at a pivot 96. The arms 19 lie substantially in the same plane in order to maintain a low profile platform 3. The arms 19, to increase their freedom of movement will have a bend 98 therein allowing the arms to be positioned generally parallel to one another with the side portions of the arms potentially engaging one another. The table 95 may be constructed similar to the tables 68, 90 and utilize bearings 78, 79 and the inner and outer bearing races 80, 83. The side arms 19S each have two separate pivots, the respective pivot 92 or 93 and the pivot 96 or the bearing arrangement using the bearings 78, 79.

[0029] Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a collision repair rack. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A collision repair rack, said rack includes: a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle thereon for repair, said platform has a periphery defined by front, rear and side portions and an upper deck adapted to receive and support a vehicle thereon; a table mounted to said platform and rotatable relative thereto about an axis of rotation; and at least two pulling tower devices each mounted to the table and moveable relative thereto, each said pulling tower device includes an arm with an attached pulling tower, said towers are positioned outside of the periphery.
 2. A repair rack as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the pulling tower devices is pivotally mounted to the table and moveable relative thereto.
 3. A repair rack as set forth in claim 2 include: a lock device operably associated with each of the pulling tower devices to selectively retain the respective pulling tower device against pivoting relative to the table.
 4. A repair rack as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least two said pulling tower devices are pivotally mounted to the table.
 5. A repair rack as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pulling tower devices each include a pulling tower mounted to a respective said arm, said pulling towers are positioned outside of the periphery and said table is positioned inside of said periphery.
 6. A repair rack as set forth in claim 1 wherein the deck includes opposite side supports extending between the front and rear portions, each side support includes a floor member moveably mounted to the deck for selective movement of at least a portion of each member in a direction toward the opposite side support to thereby provide a notch in each side support.
 7. A rack as set forth in claim 6 wherein the floor members are pivotally mounted on the deck for downward and inward pivoting.
 8. A rack as set forth in claim 7 including latch members operably associated with the side supports for releasably retaining the floor members in a vehicle supporting position.
 9. A rack as set forth in claim 1 including a jack mechanism positioned under the platform, operably associated with the platform for selectively raising and lowering the platform, said table is positioned between the platform and the jack mechanism.
 10. A collision repair rack, said rack includes: a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle thereon for repairs, said platform has a periphery defined by front, rear and side portions and an upper deck adapted to receive and support a vehicle thereon; a jack mechanism cooperating with the platform and operable to selectively raise and lower the platform; a link mounted to said platform and rotatable relative thereto about an axis of rotation; a pulling tower device pivotally mounted to the link at a pivot and moveable with the link, said pulling tower device includes an arm with an attached pulling tower, said tower is positioned outside of the periphery and the axis of rotation and pivot are inside the periphery; and a lock device cooperating with at least one of the table and the pulling tower device to selectively retain the table and arm against movement relative to the deck.
 11. A rack as set forth in claim 10 wherein said link is in the form of a turntable and there is a plurality of said pulling tower devices each pivotally mounted to said turntable.
 12. A rack as set forth in claim 11 wherein there are three said pulling tower devices pivotally mounted to said turntable.
 13. A rack as set forth in claim 12 wherein each said pulling tower device has a respective separate pivot.
 14. A rack as set forth in claim 10 including a first pivot and wherein said pulling tower is pivotally movable about two separate pivots including the first pivot and said link being rotatable about the first pivot.
 15. A collision repair rack, said rack includes: a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle thereon for repairs, said platform has a periphery defined by front, rear and side portions and an upper deck adapted to receive and support a vehicle thereon; a jack mechanism cooperating with the platform and operable to selectively raise and lower the platform; a plurality of pulling tower devices each having an arm and an attached respective pulling tower, said towers are positioned outside the periphery, said arms are each pivotally mounted to a pivot positioned inside the periphery and are sufficiently long to permit movement of the respective pulling tower to a position adjacent at least two edges of the deck and the arms are generally in a common plane, at least one said arm being pivotal about at least two separate pivots; and a lock device cooperating with each of the pulling tower devices to selectively retain the pulling tower devices against movement relative to the deck.
 16. A rack as set forth in claim 15 wherein at least two of said arms are pivotal about a common pivot.
 17. A rack as set forth in claim 16 wherein at least three said arms are pivotal about a common pivot.
 18. A rack as set forth in claim 16 wherein said at least two arms can pivot only about a single pivot.
 19. A rack as set forth in claim 15 wherein at least one said arm is pivotally mounted on another said arm.
 20. A rack as set forth in claim 19 wherein at least two said arms are pivotally mounted on a third said arm and said third said arm is pivotally mounted to said platform.
 21. A collision repair rack, said rack includes: a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle thereon for repair, said platform includes side support portions each with an outer edge partially defining a periphery of the platform at least one said side supports includes a floor member pivotally mounted to the platform for selective movement of the floor member from an up position to a down position to selectively provide an inwardly extending notch in the side support; a latch mechanism cooperating with the floor member for selectively retaining the floor member in the up position; and at least one pulling tower device mounted adjacent to the platform.
 22. A rack as set forth in claim 21 including at least one hinge device mounting the floor member to the platform.
 23. A rack as set forth in claim 22 wherein the floor member and platform have bottom surface portions and the hinge device is positioned adjacent to the bottom surface portions.
 24. A collision repair rack, said rack includes: a vehicle support platform with an upper deck adapted to receive and support a vehicle thereon; a jack mechanism positioned beneath the platform and is operable to selectively raise and lower the platform; a table rotatable relative to the jack mechanism and the platform about an axis of rotation and is positioned between the platform and the jack mechanism is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the deck; and at least two pulling tower devices, each mounted to the table and movable relative thereto, each said pulling tower device includes an arm with an attached pulling tower, each said pulling tower is positioned outside of the periphery and the axis of rotation is inside the periphery.
 25. A rack as set forth in claim 24 wherein at least one said pulling tower device is pivotal about at least two separate pivots. 